Seminal Cell Free DNA Concentration Levels Discriminate Between Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Seminal plasma cfDNA (scfDNA) was recently proposed as a novel PCa biomarker. Our aim was to evaluate whether scfDNA could discriminate PCa from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 43 patients (18 and 25 pathology proven PCa and BPH patients), and 13 healthy age-matched control subjects were enrolled. scfDNA quantification was performed. Data were analyzed through ANOVA testing. RESULTS: Average scfDNA concentrations were 1,407.83 ng/µl, 128.13 ng/µl and 78.09 ng/µl for PCa patients, BPH patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference among the groups, allowing for distinction of patients with optimal accuracy. A cut-off level of 450 ng/µl scfDNA was identified for the differentiation of PCa and BPH patients. CONCLUSION: scfDNA concentrations are significantly different between PCa patients and BPH patients. scfDNA is a promising biomarker with several applications in PCa diagnosis, screening programs and therapeutic monitoring.

Seminal Cell-Free DNA Assessment as a Novel Prostate Cancer Biomarker.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) includes circulating DNA fragments, which can be obtained from different human biological samples. cfDNA originates either from apoptotic and/or necrotic cells or is actively secreted by cancer cells. As yet, a quantification and size distribution assessment of seminal plasma cfDNA from prostate cancer patients has never been assessed. To discover a novel, sensitive, non-invasive biomarker of prostate cancer, through the fluorometric quantification and the electrophoretic analysis of seminal cfDNA in prostate cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. The concentration of seminal plasma cfDNA in prostate cancer patients was 2243.67 ± 1758 ng/µl, compared to 57.7 ± 4.8 ng/µl in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Electrophoresis sites distribution patterns were different; ladder fragmentation was associated with prostate cancer patients and apoptotic electrophoretic fragmentation with healthy individuals. Human seminal fluid can be a valuable source of cfDNA in the setting of liquid biopsy procedures for the identification of novel oncological biomarkers. Seminal plasma cfDNA in prostate cancer patients is significantly more concentrated than that of age-matched, healthy controls. Fluorometric measurement and electrophoretic assessment allow a reliable quantification and characterization of seminal plasma cfDNA, which can be used routinely in prostate cancer screening programs.